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Preserving Legacy Through Loss: Matt Jacobson’s Journey with LifeBooks

Episode Summary:
In this deeply moving episode of Grief to Growth, host Brian Smith speaks with Matt Jacobson, founder of LifeBooks, a platform born from love and a commitment to honoring family legacies. After losing his father while studying abroad, Matt returned to run his family’s mattress store. His experience inspired him to create LifeBooks, an innovative service for families to collaboratively preserve and honor their loved ones' stories in beautifully bound books that last for generations. Matt and Brian explore themes of legacy, healing, and how transforming grief into purpose can create a lasting impact on families.

**Guest Bio:**
Matt Jacobson grew up in Southern California, spending his early years working in his family's mattress store. After unexpectedly losing his father, he stepped up to continue his father's legacy, both in the family business and by creating LifeBooks. Fueled by a desire to preserve his father’s memory, Matt launched LifeBooks, allowing families to collaborate on capturing the lives and stories of loved ones. His journey is one of resilience, determination, and honoring the sacrifices of those who came before us.

### Key Takeaways from the Episode:
- **LifeBooks: The Mission Behind the Platform**
Matt shares the story of LifeBooks, a collaborative platform that helps families memorialize loved ones by capturing shared memories, photos, and stories in a high-quality book that can be cherished for generations.

- **Turning Grief into Purpose**
After stepping into his father’s shoes, Matt found a powerful sense of purpose in preserving his father's legacy. He discusses how grief can lead us to discover deeper motivations and drive to create something meaningful.

- **Overcoming Hurdles**
Matt reflects on the challenges he faced, from managing the family business to launching a startup, and how the LifeBooks project helped him find purpose and healing amidst his own loss.

- **A Collaborative Approach to Legacy**
LifeBooks’ unique process invites friends and family to contribute stories, photos, and memories. Matt explains how this collective storytelling approach creates a richer, multidimensional view of each loved one’s life.

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I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

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In this powerful episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith sits down with Summer McStravick, a renowned personal growth coach, author, and the creator of Flowdreaming—a transformative practice that merges daydreaming with emotional reconditioning to help individuals manifest and thrive. Summer’s unique journey includes her inspiring work with Louise Hay and her personal battle with a life-threatening illness, which she transformed into a journey of healing and empowerment.

Summer shares profound insights on emotional resilience, embracing grief, and overcoming the limiting beliefs she calls “lack thinking.” Her philosophy on connecting with the universe as a "partner in creation" offers a new perspective on personal empowerment and cultivating abundance. This episode promises to leave you inspired, uplifted, and ready to embrace the next steps in your healing journey.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What Flowdreaming Really Is – How this powerful technique uses daydreaming, emotional endpoints, and intention-setting to create a life of flow and fulfillment.
• The Journey from Pain to Power – Hear Summer’s personal story of resilience, including her health battles and how they transformed her life philosophy.
• Breaking Free from “Lack Thinking” – Understand how to overcome limiting beliefs and create abundance by shifting from fear to curiosity.
• The “Trifecta of Trust” – Summer's concept of building trust in ourselves, others, and the universe, and why these three trusts are essential to living a fulfilled life.
• Grief as an Ally – How Summer views grief as a teacher and how embracing life’s hardest emotions can lead to true healing.

Connect with Summer McStravick:

• Website: Flowdreaming.com
• Podcast: Flowdreaming with Summer McStravick
• Books: Flowdreaming, Stuff Nobody Taught You: 40 Lessons from Me School
• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook

Join the Conversation:

Continue the conversation with Brian and connect with a supportive community at grief2growth.

Transcendence Virtual Retreat is a three day LIVE event with some of the best afterlife and grief experts on the planet.

For more information, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/tvr

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

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In this heart-opening episode, host Brian Smith is joined by Rev. Katina Z. Jones—spiritual advisor, medium, and “The Purple Priestess”—to discuss the art of connecting with loved ones who have passed and embracing spirituality as a path to healing. Rev. Katina draws on her background as a death doula and intuitive guide to offer insights into finding peace, purpose, and connection amid loss.

With over 25 years as a healer, author, and medium, Katina’s spiritual journey began after a transformative personal loss, eventually leading her to help others navigate grief with compassion. Together, Brian and Katina explore ancestral guidance, the purpose of doulas in the final stages of life, and the many ways we can continue the conversation with those who have transitioned.

Topics Covered:

• The Role of Ancestral Wisdom in Healing
• What is a Death Doula? How Katina Supports Families in Transition
• Communicating with Spirit: Signs, Symbols, and Continuing Bonds
• How Our Loved Ones “Come Through” and Guide Us After Death
• Simple Practices to Connect with Our Higher Purpose and Spiritual Lineage

Guest Bio:
Rev. Katina Z. Jones, known as “The Purple Priestess,” is an author, medium, and career intuitive with a passion for helping others find purpose beyond loss. With certifications as a death doula and a doctoral degree underway in metaphysics, Katina merges her intuitive gifts with years of spiritual practice to guide individuals in connecting to their loved ones and to the wisdom of their ancestors. Learn more at ThePurplePriestess.com.

Notable Quotes:

• "Continue the conversation with your loved ones—they're closer than you think." – Katina Z. Jones
• "Every transition holds a gift, guiding us to deeper understanding and compassion." – Brian Smith

Join the Conversation:
Visit Grief2Growth.com/community to share your insights, find support, and connect with others on a similar healing journey.

Resources Mentioned:

• Connect with Rev. Katina at ThePurplePriestess.com

Transcendence Virtual Retreat is a three day LIVE event with some of the best afterlife and grief experts on the planet.

For more information, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/tvr

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

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In this enlightening episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith welcomes Cheryl Murphy, an evidential medium, psychic, and certified hypnotherapist, to explore the profound impact of spirit communication on healing and personal growth. Cheryl, with over 20 years of experience in metaphysics, shares how connecting with loved ones in spirit can be a powerful tool for healing grief and offers practical advice on how anyone can start their own spiritual journey. She also touches on her personal journey growing up in a psychic family, including her mother and great aunt, and how that shaped her life's work.

Key Topics Covered:

• 🌿 The difference between a psychic and a medium
• 🕊️ How mediumship can aid in emotional and spiritual healing
• 🔮 Practical tips to connect with your spirit guides
• 💖 The importance of setting intentions and staying open-hearted when communicating with the spirit world
• 📖 Cheryl’s personal story: Growing up in a family of psychics and how it influenced her journey
• ✨ Cheryl’s "Energy Transformation Program" and how it can help you tap into your own intuitive abilities

Don't Miss This!
Cheryl also reveals some techniques you can use to start recognizing and interpreting spiritual messages in your everyday life. This episode is full of practical insights and emotional depth, perfect for anyone navigating grief or seeking a deeper understanding of the spiritual realm.

Connect with Cheryl Murphy:

• Website: MediumCheryl.com
• Facebook: Medium Cheryl
• Instagram: @MediumCheryl
• Join Cheryl’s Healing Prayer Circle: Healing Prayer Circle

Transcendence Virtual Retreat is a three day LIVE event with some of the best afterlife and grief experts on the planet.

For more information, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/tvr

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

Support the show

🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Join Facebook Group- Get Support and Education
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In this eye-opening episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith sits down with Patricia Saunders, an expert in Transcendental Meditation (TM) and best-selling author, to explore a remarkable idea—can meditation really reduce crime and societal violence?

Patricia has been teaching TM for decades, both in the UK and the US, and is currently at Maharishi International University. Her groundbreaking work, particularly highlighted in her book An Antidote to Violence: Evaluating the Evidence, dives deep into the research behind TM’s potential to transform both individuals and society at large.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The science behind Transcendental Meditation and how it differs from other forms of meditation.
• How TM has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and create emotional stability.
• Shocking research that reveals how large-scale TM practice has led to reduced crime rates, lower violence, and societal transformation.
• Real-life case studies, including the Invincible America Assembly, where 2,000 people meditated together, resulting in fewer homicides and improved societal well-being.
• Insights into how you can contribute to societal peace by simply adopting a daily meditation practice.

About Our Guest:

Patricia Saunders is a seasoned Transcendental Meditation teacher and a passionate advocate for its societal benefits. She has taught TM in both the UK and the US and is currently based at Maharishi International University. In her book An Antidote to Violence, she presents compelling evidence from peer-reviewed studies showing how meditation can lead to a more peaceful world.

Continue the Conversation:

After listening, join us at grief2growth.com/community to discuss how you can be part of the movement toward a more peaceful, harmonious society. Share your thoughts, connect with like-minded listeners, and learn how meditation could transform your life—and the world around you.

Transcendence Virtual Retreat is a three day LIVE event with some of the best afterlife and grief experts on the planet.

For more information, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/tvr

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

Support the show

🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Join Facebook Group- Get Support and Education
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🌿 Imagine a world where aging isn't feared, but embraced as a source of wisdom and power. In this episode of *Grief 2 Growth*, host Brian Smith sits down with acclaimed author David W. Berner to explore the deep, often overlooked beauty of growing older.

David, an award-winning author of fiction, memoir, and creative nonfiction, discusses his latest book, Daylight Saving Time, a collection of essays on aging, art, and finding joy in life's later years. Together, we dive into how aging can be a profound journey of self-discovery, the role of art and literature in this process, and how society's stigma on aging holds us back from our full potential. 🌱

👂 Whether you're navigating aging yourself or supporting a loved one through it, this episode is a must-listen for anyone searching for meaning, wisdom, and solace at every stage of life. Join us as we unpack how to live "older well" and how the challenges we face along the way can become our greatest sources of strength.

🔗 After the show, continue the conversation with us at:
https://grief2growth.com/community

🔗 find David at https://www.davidwberner.com

✨ Hit LIKE & SUBSCRIBE to discover new ways to find growth through grief and life's challenges. Don’t miss out on future episodes full of insight and hope! 💡

Transcendence Virtual Retreat is a three day LIVE event with some of the best afterlife and grief experts on the planet.

For more information, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/tvr

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

Support the show

🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Join Facebook Group- Get Support and Education
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In this deeply insightful episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith welcomes the world’s foremost grief expert, David Kessler, to explore how we can find meaning in grief. David, a grief counselor and author of Finding Meaning: The Grief Workbook, shares his personal experience of losing his son and provides practical tools for processing grief. Brian and David dive into the emotional, spiritual, and psychological aspects of healing after profound loss.

David has worked alongside iconic figures in the grief field like Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and Louise Hay, and his experience as a grief educator and counselor offers invaluable wisdom to anyone seeking hope in their grief journey.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- How to move from feeling "buried" by grief to feeling "planted" for growth 🌱
- David’s personal story of losing his son and how it transformed his approach to grief counseling 🕊️
- Practical tools for **finding meaning in grief** and navigating complicated emotions such as guilt, anger, and regret
- The importance of balancing the spiritual and human aspects of the grieving process 🙏
- How to take small steps toward healing, even when the pain feels overwhelming

About Our Guest:
David Kessler is the world’s leading authority on grief, with decades of experience guiding thousands through the most difficult moments of their lives. He has co-authored books with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, including *On Grief and Grieving*, and worked with Louise Hay on *You Can Heal Your Heart*. David’s latest work, *Finding Meaning: The Grief Workbook*, provides actionable tools for navigating grief and finding peace.

Resources Mentioned:
- David Kessler’s Website https://grief.com
- Finding Meaning: The Grief Workbook by David Kessler https://griefbook.com


- 👉 Have you been able to find meaning in your grief? Share your story with us in the Grief 2 Growth community: http://grief2growth.com/community)
- 💬 What’s one tool from David Kessler’s advice that resonated with you? Leave a comment or review to let us know!

Transcendence Virtual Retreat is a three day LIVE event with some of the best afterlife and grief experts on the planet.

For more information, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/tvr

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

Support the show

🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Join Facebook Group- Get Support and Education
👛 Subscribe to Grief 2 Growth Premium (bonus episodes)
📰 Get A Free Gift
📅 Book A Complimentary Discovery Call
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In this enlightening episode, Brian Smith interviews Dr. Erik Deumens, a nuclear physicist whose life journey bridges the realms of science and spirituality. Erik shares how his early fascination with quantum mechanics eventually led him to a deeper understanding of human consciousness, sparked by the practice of yoga and the personal growth that followed the loss of his wife. Listen as Erik explains the balance between the physical and spiritual worlds, and how grief can be a powerful catalyst for transformation.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Erik’s academic background in physics and quantum mechanics
• His lifelong study of yoga and spiritual philosophies
• The impact of losing his wife on his personal and spiritual growth
• Exploring the intersection of science and spirituality
• How quantum mechanics may or may not support spiritual worldviews
• The importance of emotional awareness and integrating spirituality into daily life

Guest Bio: Dr. Erik Deumens was born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium. He studied physics and mathematics at the University of Antwerp before earning a PhD in computational nuclear physics. Moving to the U.S. in 1985, Erik became part of the Quantum Theory Project at the University of Florida, where he’s spent decades advancing research in chemical reactions through computer modeling. He now serves as the Director of Research Computing at the University of Florida. Alongside his scientific career, Erik has studied Hatha yoga since the age of 17, delving into spiritual texts and philosophies. His spiritual path deepened after the loss of his wife, leading him to integrate emotional and spiritual practices into his life.

Resources:

• University of Florida Research Computing https://people.clas.ufl.edu/deumens

Transcendence Virtual Retreat is a three day LIVE event with some of the best afterlife and grief experts on the planet.

For more information, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/tvr

You can send me a text by clicking the link at the top of the show notes. Use fanmail to:

1.) Ask questions.
2.) Suggest future guests/topics.
3.) Provide feedback

Can't wait to hear from you!

I've been studying Near Death Experiences for many years now. I am 100% convinced they are real. In this short, free ebook, I not only explain why I believe NDEs are real, I share some of the universal secrets brought back by people who have had them.

https://www.grief2growth.com/ndelessons

Support the show

🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Join Facebook Group- Get Support and Education
👛 Subscribe to Grief 2 Growth Premium (bonus episodes)
📰 Get A Free Gift
📅 Book A Complimentary Discovery Call
📈 Leave A Review

Thanks so much for your support